Upon first consideration the pace of NRL games becoming slower, due to the "parachute" effect larger shorts would have, could seem to be a negative outcome. However, the slower the player is moving, the more legible the sponsorship logos become.
Take for example: a 6 or 7 has just broken through an attempted elbow strike from "big" Dave Taylor, and is streaking away downfield. Under the larger shorts scenario, the ball carrier and every chasing defender, will be moving at a far slower pace - allowing up to 30 seconds for a full length of the field try.
This is an absolute goldmine of sponsorship exposure. Of course some players, such as Greg Inglis, are simply not fit or motivated enough to keep up with the cameras as they trail the ball carrier, but the extra short area will allow far larger advertisements to be attached, so that you will still see the sponsor's logos in the background.
The only negative effect this could have is the possibility of optical illusions, leading to confusion and possibly anger and subsequently domestic violence among some viewers, such as ex-Tigers players. However older viewers, such as Popeye, will gain an additional benefit from this reduced pace of play as their ageing retinas will be able to process the action far more efficiently, rather than incurring a lag effect which could leave them sitting on the couch for up to 10 minutes after the game has finished - waiting for their brains to catch up with their eyes. This will lead to an increase of quality time spent with their grandchildren, furthering the image of rugby league as the "family game" and make better use of our elderly statesmen, rather than having them simply rotting away in the lounge chewing up pension dollars. The social and economic impact of these changes could be immense - big financial news immense.
Clearly there are more positives than negatives to be drawn from the reversal to old school baggy shorts, perhaps further consideration should also be given to including baggy cotton shirts, with collars, in the wardrobe of our modern rugby league athletes. Moustaches are another fashion and sponsorship item worth consideration.
In short, this is a great thread.